You play as an Exterminator who specializes in the elimination of a particular type of Pest: Buzzing Bugs, Creepy Crawlies, Winged Beasts, Vicious Vermin, Heinous Houseguests, or Spooky Specters. You’ve been hired to clear your type of pests out of a house, but when you arrive, you discover that the house has other types of infestations. The homeowner’s hired several other exterminators, each with a different specialty, and only the first to complete their job will get paid!

Quite a bit, actually! Here are all the components included with the game. Plus the box itself, of course! And a rule booklet. Plus, some awesome upgrades & additions now that we've unlocked all those stretch goals!

(Form and artwork of final components may vary from these renderings)

If the campaign reaches $10,000 in funding, we'll be upgrading the toolbox cards to have a linen finish, for smoother shuffling and that oh-so-luxurious feeling in your hands.

If the campaign reaches $11,500 in funding, we'll be upgrading the 144 chipboard pests to wooden components.

If the campaign reaches $12,000 in funding, we'll be upgrading the queen die from screen printed graphics to a custom-molded die!

If the campaign reaches $13,000 in funding, we'll be replacing the cardboard insert in the box with a molded plastic insert that will perfectly fit all the components, and for those of you who like to sleeve your cards, we'll make sure to leave a little extra wiggle room for you!

If the campaign reaches $16,000 in funding, we'll be adding an additional set of cards called the "Queen Deck", and rules to play the game co-operatively, with 1-6 players - that's right, there's going to be a solo play mode!

If the campaign reaches $16,500 in funding, we'll be adding a UV spot finish to the box, to really make the artwork pop!

If the campaign reaches $17,500 in funding, we'll be adding a Kickstarter-Exclusive promo card for every copy of the game purchased through the campaign. This card WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE for post-Kickstarter pre-orders.

We're keeping its ability hidden except for backers, but here's the name & artwork!

You can check out the rules a little lower down on this page, or you can watch this video where Todd, Michael and their friend Gerald show you how to play!

The complete game, with all artwork, is playable now on Tabletopia for free. We recommend you use the Quick Start setup to try it out!

"I was pleasantly surprised at how fun the game was. At first glance, it seems like a really light strategy game, but it turns out there’s a lot more strategy than you’d think at first. Right from the start, figuring out how to set up the house requires a lot of thought. Then, determining on each move how to spend your points, and crucially, whether to focus on your own pests or go after other players, gives the game a lot of depth." -GeekDad

"Mechanically this game is ticking all the right box’s, you never really know who is going to win until the last minute as everything can change with a well played toolbox card or an unfortunate roll of a dice, this makes sure that even people falling behind the obvious leader still has a hope in hell of pulling it all back at the last minute." -In2TheReview

“With basic mechanics and turn based game play it moves along at a good pace, keeps everyone engaged and ready to react to each other's actions. It's a really fun theme with really well made and well thought out components. The art is fun and whimsical and fits the theme well. The ability to change the game board makes each new game a unique experience.” -Golden State Gaming Network

“It does have that classic game feel to it, but it’s contemporary enough that you’re still going to enjoy it. I like the fact that the game beats you up by spawning all these pests constantly while you’re trying to clean up the house, but watch out for your opponents, because they may use some of their action points to give you a little dig or two. I enjoyed it, I hope you get a chance to check it out.” -Bearded Meeple

"You truly feel like an exterminator chasing bugs or mice through a house. Every action fits the theme from pests entering the house from an unsealed nest to playing a toolbox card to use a bug bomb, eliminating all the pests in a room. Both the artwork and abilities of the exterminators work thematically... There honestly wasn’t anything I didn’t enjoy in Pests." -Matt Miller, PopwrappedRead the full review!

“Engrossing strategy and enjoyable art! The variable board development and character mixes make it a definite on my "Shut up and take my money" list as soon as they release!”-Charlie Shreier, Playtester

“Really fun social game. Good balance of short learning curve, quick game play, and just enough depth to support a little strategery for experienced players.”-Thomas Jordan, Playtester

"Pests! is a light tactical game that seamlessly melds Euro and American game styles. It has a refreshing theme and artwork. Pests! is a game I'll recommend to fans of lighthearted competitive (take that) games and for families alike.”-Paul Orosz, Playtester

$1: help with the infestation We appreciate every bit of help in making this game a thing in the Real World! There is no reward at this tier apart from the warm, fuzzy feeling you get from helping other realize their dreams.

$2: DistributorIf you are a distributor or retailer interested in backing the game, please pledge at this level and contact us at info@spontaneouslycombustible.com to reserve your copies at retailer prices. The pledge will be credited to your order.

$5: full-color, unwatermarked P&P Every tile, every card, with all of Todd's amazing artwork, yours for the downloading!

$39: 1 copy of Pests!(shipping included to US, Canada, EU & Australlia)1 shiny, shrinkwrapped copy of Pests! will be shipped to you, with all stretch goals included.

$59: 1 copy of Pests! + Pests! coloring book(shipping included to US, Canada, EU & Australlia)The only thing better than Todd's artwork for Pests! is getting to color it in yourself! 1 shiny, shrinkwrapped copy of Pests! will be shipped to you, with all stretch goals included, plus a coloring book of the Todd's pen & ink artwork from the game.

$69: 2 copies of Pests!(shipping included to US, Canada, EU & Australlia)2 just-as-shiny, shrinkwrapped copies of Pests! will be shipped to you, with all stretch goals included.

$99: 1 copy + Sponsor a Card + Original Art (24 available)(shipping included to US, Canada, EU & Australia.) There are 24 unique toolbox cards in the game. Pledge at this level and 1 shiny, shrinkwrapped copy of Pests! will be shipped to you, with all stretch goals included, we'll include your name in the frame of one of the toolbox cards (cards will be assigned randomly), and you'll also get the original Pen & Ink art of that card signed by Todd!

$119: 1 copy + Name a Character + Original character art (12 available)(shipping included to US, Canada, EU & Australlia)There are 6 Exterminators and 6 Pest Queens in the game, which are sadly lacking any names. Pledge at this level and 1 shiny, shrinkwrapped copy of Pests! will be shipped to you, with all stretch goals included, you'll get to work with us to name one of those 12 characters, and you'll also get the original Pen & Ink art of that character signed by Todd! ("Pesty McPestFace" may or may not be rejected as a name.)

$499: 1 copy + Original box cover artwork (1 available)(shipping included to US, Canada, EU & Australlia)1 shiny, shrinkwrapped copy of Pests! will be shipped to you, with all stretch goals included, along with Todd's original Pen & Ink artwork for the front of the box!

Do you have ideas that you think would make this project better? Thoughts about addons or expansions? Backing tiers that are missing? Stretch goals you'd like to see? Compromising photos of Michael and the Vermin Queen? Let us know here or on our various social media pages:

Michael McFarland fell in love with tabletop gaming at age 11, when his older brother brought home from college a game called Die Siedler von Catan, which had won Spiel Des Jahres in Germany that year. Michael was taken with the look and feel of the game, and since it wasn't the sort of thing you could easily ask for as a birthday gift, lovingly re-created the entire game with matchsticks, cereal box cardboard, and artwork he made using a free image editor called The Gimp (he's since bought a for-realsies copy).

Eventually he completed a degree in Visual Communication Design and started a graphic design firm & recording studio in Cleveland, Ohio, while also touring the country as a singer-songwriter, but never lost his love for board games. After an unfortunate encounter with a swarm of ants (if you feel so inclined, the video can be found on his Instagram), followed by a nightmare of beating back wave after wave of bugs in his house, he awoke with the idea for a board game. After a few days of hashing out the game mechanics in his head, he reached out to his friend Todd...

Todd Jakubisin started his illustration career in 2009 by drawing comic strips at Cleveland Scene magazine. He has since illustrated for Gray&Co. Publishers, St. Martin’s Press, Thirsty Dog Brewing Co., displayed work at coffee shops and museums around Northeast Ohio, and has even independently published a couple of picture books.

He grew up playing cards for the most part; games like Euchre and Rummy. While he enjoyed the classic board and party games, it wasn’t until his adult life that he really experienced what the world of table top games really had to offer! It’s been a thrill and a privilege to be able to contribute to such wonderful thing.

Risks and challenges

All artwork has already been completed, with the exception of the back of the box and the layout of the rules booklet. The game has been playtested extensively over a 6-month period, so the risks lie mainly in the realms of manufacturing and fulfillment. We are members of the Indie Game Alliance, and as such have a large, experienced network of game designers and publishers who have directed us towards highly rated manufacturers and fulfillment companies. As a graphic designer by trade, Michael has years of experience preparing artwork for printing and manufacturing, which should help mitigate potential production hiccups.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 2 or more
About US$ 2.00

Distributor or Retailer

If you are a distributor or retailer interested in selling the game, please pledge at this level and e-mail us at info@spontaneouslycombustible.com to reserve your copies at distributor/retailer prices. The $2 pledge will be credited to your order.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 59 or more
About US$ 59

1 copy of Pests! + coloring book

(shipping included to US, Canada, EU & Australia.)
The only thing better than Todd's artwork for Pests! is getting to color it in yourself! 1 shiny, shrinkwrapped copy of Pests! will be shipped to you, with all stretch goals included, plus a coloring book of the Todd's pen & ink artwork from the game.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 99 or more
About US$ 99

1 copy + Sponsor a Card + Original Art

(shipping included to US, Canada, EU & Australia.)
There are 24 unique toolbox cards in the game. Pledge at this level and 1 shiny, shrinkwrapped copy of Pests! will be shipped to you, with all stretch goals included, we'll include your name in the frame of one of the toolbox cards (cards will be assigned randomly), and you'll also get the original Pen & Ink art of that card signed by Todd!

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 119 or more
About US$ 119

1 copy + Name a Character + Original Art

(shipping included to US, Canada, EU & Australia.)
There are 6 Exterminators and 6 Pest Queens in the game, which are sadly lacking any names. Pledge at this level to receive 1 shiny, shrinkwrapped copy of Pests! will be shipped to you, with all stretch goals included, you'll get to work with us to name one of those 12 characters, and you'll also get the original Pen & Ink art of that character signed by Todd! ("Pesty McPestFace" may or may not be rejected as a name.)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge US$ 499 or more
About US$ 499

1 copy + Original cover artwork

(shipping included to US, Canada, EU & Australia.)
1 shiny, shrinkwrapped copy of Pests! will be shipped to you, with all stretch goals included, along with Todd's original Pen & Ink artwork for the front of the box!